The next day, Uchiha Fugaku brought Uchiha Akira to a training ground.
They were the only two people there.
Fugaku had ordered everyone else to leave.
“Learning ninjutsu and taijutsu won’t be difficult for you, Akira.
However, you only need to master the techniques that suit you.”
“There are two other crucial factors that determine a shinobi’s strength: their chakra reserves and physical constitution.”
“Both can only be improved through diligent training.”
“Therefore, these two areas will be the focus of your training from now on.”
“Of course, I’ll also compile a list of ninjutsu and taijutsu suitable for you.”
Akira nodded.
“All right.”
A month quickly passed.
Fugaku already knew that Akira was a genius, yet the boy’s rate of improvement still far exceeded his expectations.
After only one month, Akira’s chakra reserves and physical constitution had already reached the level of a genin.
As for his ability to use ninjutsu and taijutsu, that went without saying.
How many people in the entire shinobi world could compare to him?
All he had to do was bring his hands together, and his ninjutsu would be unleashed.
Who could possibly compete with that?
In other words, Akira was already stronger than most genin.
“Father, can you tell me how to awaken the Sharingan now?”
After realizing that he was a genius, Akira had regained hope of changing the Uchiha clan’s fate.
He had trained exceptionally hard throughout the past month.
However, Akira understood one thing clearly.
What truly determined the strength of an Uchiha wasn’t their ninjutsu or taijutsu.
It was the Sharingan.
Once an Uchiha awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, they would enter an entirely different level.
“Given your current abilities, it is indeed time for you to awaken the Sharingan.”
“However, there is no fixed method for awakening it.”
Fugaku explained, “The training we undergo every day is actually part of the process.
Once your strength reaches the necessary level, awakening the Sharingan should occur naturally.”
“But if you’re asking whether there is a shortcut, one does exist.”
“Intense emotional stimulation.”
Akira considered this for a moment.
“For example, discovering that I really am your illegitimate son?”
The corner of Fugaku’s eye twitched.
“I suppose that would qualify.”
“But Akira, let me assure you again: you are the son of Mikoto and me, no different from Itachi and Sasuke.
Your hair is merely the result of a minor accident.”
“It’s nothing to worry about.”
“It’s just like your ability to perform ninjutsu without hand seals.”
“It’s something unique to you.”
Akira nodded.
“All right.
I understand.”
“I’ve already taught you everything I can for now.
I won’t accompany you to the training ground from this point onward.
You’ll need to train by yourself, but I believe you can handle it.”
“Of course, you may come to me whenever you encounter a problem.”
Fugaku glanced at the time.
“It’s getting late.
That will be all for today.”
“Itachi is coming home today.
It has been a long time since our entire family had dinner together, so don’t be late again.”
Fugaku placed particular emphasis on the final sentence.
Akira had frequently arrived late for dinner in the past.
When he had given up all hope of changing anything, only one principle had remained: enjoy life while he could.
As a result, Akira had developed his own understanding of time.
He did whatever made him comfortable.
He couldn’t care less about rules or proper etiquette.
Neither Fugaku nor Mikoto knew what to do with him.
“All right.”
Now, however, Akira had seen an opportunity to change the Uchiha clan’s fate.
He also wanted to take a careful look at the current Uchiha Itachi.
He wanted to know how strong Itachi was.
More importantly, he wanted to determine Itachi’s current attitude toward the village and the clan.
Fugaku smiled.
“Itachi will surely be delighted when he learns about your talent.”
“Father, I don’t want Itachi to know about it.”
“Hm?
Why?”
“I simply don’t want him to know.”
Fugaku frowned.
“Akira, Itachi is your older brother.
You, Itachi, and Sasuke are brothers.
Aside from your parents, no one will ever share a closer relationship with you than the three of you share with one another.”
“Why does it seem as though you’ve never liked Itachi?”
“Can you tell me why?”
Akira replied calmly, “Because he seems to care more about outsiders than his own family.”
“He cares more about outsiders?”
Fugaku froze.
“That’s impossible.
Itachi has always treated both you and Sasuke extremely well.”
“No.
I clearly remember what happened when I was younger.
When someone from another village falsely accused me, Itachi’s first reaction wasn’t to trust me.
Instead, he believed that person’s lies and scolded me.”
“But everything I said was true.”
“He was my older brother, so I didn’t want to lie to him.”
“Yet he didn’t trust his own younger brother.”
“So, Father, are you certain I’m not an illegitimate child born to either you or Mother?”
“Otherwise, why wouldn’t he believe me?”
Fugaku fell silent.